Dallas Stars Assign Jordie Benn To The Texas Stars

by Brandon Worley on Jan 11, 2012 2:18 PM CST in Dallas Stars News

Jordie Benn, who enjoyed a brief stay in the NHL with his brother, is headed back to Austin. With Sheldon Souray healthy and Philip Larsen not that far from returning, it was a matter of time before Jordie went back to the AHL.

The Dallas Stars announced today that Benn has been assigned to the Texas Stars, something that was expected after he was a healthy scratch last night. While there are some who feel that Benn deserved to stay over some other defensemen, the truth is that it's best for him to continue to get more minutes and more experience in Austin -- rather than being a healthy scratch most nights in Dallas.

The question now becomes what happens with Larsen once he's healthy, as the Stars can't keep eight defensemen on the roster right now. Larsen has played 19 games with Dallas and while he has just two points, he's been impressive for the most part and has certainly improved over the course of the season.

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Well, Mike Heika's made a case for the Stars to keep Larsen up

@MikeHeika
After minus-2 last night, Adam Pardy is now minus-8 in 22 games for the Stars. Philip Larsen is plus-7 in 19 games. tinyurl.com/7y2n6o5

That damn contract…

"Graham's Week in Sports," my blog.

Never, under any circumstances, should you ever make fun of Brandon Worley.

by DFWTrojanTuba on Jan 11, 2012 2:25 PM CST reply actions

According to Capgeek...

we can dump 4.2 million of salary today and still be above the floor. At the trade deadline, that number jumps to 9.2. They can send Pardy down if they want to when Larsen is healthy.

by cms1171 on Jan 11, 2012 2:37 PM CST up reply actions

Keep Larsen

and send Pardy down. I know it’s risky because he could be claimed on waivers, and there goes a little depth if we run into more injuries. However, Jordie Benn, Lukowich, and/or Dillon could likely give us what we needed in a 7th or 8th d’man if needed.

Razor made the point last night that he’s been playing more consistently so his game should be solidifying…. however, the eye-ball test, at least, hasn’t deciphered much difference in his play.

Pardy has some good tools, but he doesn’t use his size with the command you’d like for someone 6’4 220. The best thing for him is to get some confidence back, and at this point the Texas looks to be the best situation for that.

by rev0lver19 on Jan 11, 2012 2:43 PM CST reply actions

How long was he in the AHL before?

Was he rushed like Niskanen?

Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.

by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Jan 11, 2012 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

One season in Austin

"Graham's Week in Sports," my blog.

Never, under any circumstances, should you ever make fun of Brandon Worley.

by DFWTrojanTuba on Jan 11, 2012 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

No, not like Niskanen

Niskanen had 13 games in the AHL before jumping to the Stars.

Larsen has had a full season and 10 games this year, a total of 64 games in the AHL. Also keep in mind prior to the AHL he played 2-3 seasons in the SEL, which is a professional league. A step or few above the WCHA, if I’m not mistaken. Lastly, Larsen has played well being paired with Fistric or Gologoski, good players, but a far cry from the safety net of Zubov.

Definitely want to avoid making the same mistakes as with Niskanen, but i don’t think Larsen is in danger of that.

by rev0lver19 on Jan 11, 2012 3:03 PM CST up reply actions

plus one

Larsen is to valuable a right shot, and potential point scorer. Great transition pass, quick decision maker with better hands. Leave the hitting to Fistric.

by sundancekid on Jan 11, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

LOL

by DFWFan on Jan 11, 2012 2:47 PM CST reply actions

http://snuskgabbe.picturepush.com/album/162681/6125504/Dallas-Covers/Jeff-Woywitka.html#

by DFWFan on Jan 11, 2012 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

by DFWFan on Jan 11, 2012 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Wow.

He looks puzzled to be there.

Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.

by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Jan 11, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

woywtfka.jpg

"Graham's Week in Sports," my blog.

Never, under any circumstances, should you ever make fun of Brandon Worley.

by DFWTrojanTuba on Jan 11, 2012 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

This should be

NHL 11

NHL 12 should be Pardy! :-)

by Matt Wright on Jan 11, 2012 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

Enough said...

Trevor Daley is my cup of tea.

by Henri Muroke on Jan 11, 2012 6:28 PM CST up reply actions

did I miss somthing

Seems like jordie played a very good simple game. Pardy needs to go away, and larson just seems to skinny.

by mbond on Jan 11, 2012 2:58 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

In 19 games, as a rookie, Larsen is posting a +7

Pardy? in 22 games, is posting a -8.

(I know this is reposting material)

"Graham's Week in Sports," my blog.

Never, under any circumstances, should you ever make fun of Brandon Worley.

by DFWTrojanTuba on Jan 11, 2012 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

Meh

Defending Big D Check it out
Twitter
"You guys are talking about living forever like it’s a real thing, but I bust out a man shoving his head into a vagina, and it’s srs time?"
--iorange555 8/23/2011

by Josh Lile on Jan 11, 2012 3:30 PM CST up reply actions

Knew you'd say that

"Graham's Week in Sports," my blog.

Never, under any circumstances, should you ever make fun of Brandon Worley.

by DFWTrojanTuba on Jan 11, 2012 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

Pardy sucks, but that doesn't mean they should rush Larsen.

His offensive game is a little immature. He takes bad shots too often that hit guys in front, and his shot isn’t so good that he can overcome poor shot selection.

Plus, the roster isn’t constructed to the point that he can be eased in defensively. He either plays with Goligoski (not exactly the standard bearer for defense) or with one of Pardy or Fistric. He needs to be protected, and I don’t know that they can protect him. I think he’d be better off developing more in the AHL.

by Josh Lile on Jan 11, 2012 3:32 PM CST reply actions

But, if they had a way to protect him I'd be ok with him staying up.

by Josh Lile on Jan 11, 2012 3:33 PM CST up reply actions

The only

thing he may need to be ‘protected’ from is physicality. His defensive game has been good i.e. positioning, decision making, first pass, speed, stick play, anticipation etc. You said it yourself, it’s his offensive game that’s more questionable right now. It’s not being rushed when you’re capable of playing well at the NHL level, and this year through 20 games he’s shown he can. He isn’t going to be counted on to put up 40 points right now, so he can ease into his offensive game.

Agreed that Pardy is a bigger liability - but I have not seen Larsen play like someone who needs to be protected. Last year when Crawford played him 6 minutes a game and only on the powerplay, that’s when he looked like he wasn’t ready. This year, he’s been quite solid.

by rev0lver19 on Jan 12, 2012 2:32 AM CST up reply actions